The ABS compiles the index of relative socio-economic disadvantage, one of five Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA). The SEIFA index numbers are based on the characteristics of all persons living within a defined area, not the socio-economic situation of a particular individual, and are intended to determine the level of social and economic wellbeing of these areas. Further information is available in ABS (2008c) Information Paper: An Introduction to Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2006 (cat. no. 2039.0).

The index of relative socio-economic disadvantage includes attributes such as low income, low educational attainment, high unemployment and jobs in relatively unskilled occupations. The lower the value of this index, the greater the average level of disadvantage experienced by residents of the area.

A relationship between the rate of participation in sport and physical recreation and the level of socio-economic disadvantage can be seen, with the participation rate increasing with each successive quintile in the index. Of those in the lowest quintile of the index, 63% of people participated in sport or physical recreation activity, while 84% of those in the highest quintile participated.

In addition, the proportion of participants in the highest quintile of the index of relative socio-economic disadvantage (26%) is nearly twice that of those in the lowest quintile (15%). This is the reverse of the proportions seen among non-participants (14% compared with 26% respectively).

4.6 Participation in Sport and Physical Recreation, By index of relative socio-economic disadvantage